ORC
The Seafaring Artisans
The orcs are a crafty people who have integrated heavily into eastern society. They're often found doing heavy labour or working as entertainers in the cities due to their physical capability, but those who have followed the path of artisans and craftsman have had great influence on much of eastern culture: orcish barbeque and artisanal food products are very popular and outside the cooking arts, a fair number find success as master craftsman, ship captains, and merchants of fine taste. A number of noble houses in Thormouth are of orc lineage and they've had a strong influence on much of its culture as well. However, there are clans holding true to old ways that live in settlements outside of mainstream society and utterly shun those who live within it, believing the orc of Hy-Brazir have forgotten their roots; these orc live in the wild seas as members of a pirate nation scattered among the islands, marauders who seem to have some level of control over the sea monsters there.
The orc are tall and robust humanoids, naturally muscular and heavier set on average.
Social Overview
An orc of Hy-Brazir is typically of the jungle variety, a tall and robust humanoid with green skin and tusks that mildly impede their speech, not entirely unlike what one might expect - but culturally they are a matriarchal people of the sea and coastal jungles, with a rich history of the arts and among the best textiles in the world. They have a past that was once more warrior focused, but these days they’re more into trade and produce many merchants, chefs, and tailors. They're among the most accepted of races in the east alongside humans and dwarves, those three making up a sort of trifecta of those who have had the most influence in mundane society. However, there are secluded communities of more 'traditional' orc who feel that their people have forgotten their roots. They're much harder around the edges and many of them are pirates who freelance as mercenaries for other nations.
They're generally considered mundane and therefore their culture was allowed to thrive in the eastern regions of Hy-Brazir and in turn Thornmouth; for orcs this meant orcish cuisine became common, such as heavily seasoned and sometimes spicy 'barbeque' cooked upon stone or spits. They also changed the way in which the local guard and military operate using intimidation tactics and aggressive camaraderie before battle. This also meant orcish 'dance form' was introduced and is especially popular before battle or a performance in the coliseum.
They are an adventurous seafaring and mercantile people who prefer the coastal jungles and beaches, which they appear well adapted for. They are well known for their excellent food, sense of fashion, spice and fabric exports, boat construction, outrageous parties and artistic expression in most everything they do. There is a dance to their fighting styles, a flair to their cuisine, bold patterns and colors in their clothing, and lovingly crafted details in their architecture. They have an eye for expression on par with their mastery of the seas.
Notes:
The Seafaring Artisans
The orcs are a crafty people who have integrated heavily into eastern society. They're often found doing heavy labour or working as entertainers in the cities due to their physical capability, but those who have followed the path of artisans and craftsman have had great influence on much of eastern culture: orcish barbeque and artisanal food products are very popular and outside the cooking arts, a fair number find success as master craftsman, ship captains, and merchants of fine taste. A number of noble houses in Thormouth are of orc lineage and they've had a strong influence on much of its culture as well. However, there are clans holding true to old ways that live in settlements outside of mainstream society and utterly shun those who live within it, believing the orc of Hy-Brazir have forgotten their roots; these orc live in the wild seas as members of a pirate nation scattered among the islands, marauders who seem to have some level of control over the sea monsters there.
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Classification: humanoid Subraces: - Homeworld: - |
Lifespan: Magic: yes, but very rarely (powers are typically oceanic in nature) Diet: omivorous Size: medium-large Height Range: Weight Range: Skin Tones: jungle greens, browns, occasional brown-reds, greys (white to black), sometimes mottled or striped - those that live in the free seas sometimes appear blue-green, with more oceanic markings Eye Tones: the full range of natural eye tones Hair Tones: dark brown to black Distinctions: robust humanoid, tusked, disruptive coloration (jungle and oceanic) |
The orc are tall and robust humanoids, naturally muscular and heavier set on average.
Social Overview
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Population: large Living Style: communal Nations: claim the southeastern tropics and coastlines, including the large southern island where they have their capital - there is also a significant population living on ships and other islands within the free seas Languages: wavespeak, human common Subcultures: mainland 'jungle' orc, free sea dwellers (name pending) Notable Members: Known For: seafaring, spices, dance, fabrics Produce: fabrics, dyes, lumber, coal, aluminum, medicinal plants, dragon pepper, various spices, sauces, salt, fruit, fish, sugarcane |
An orc of Hy-Brazir is typically of the jungle variety, a tall and robust humanoid with green skin and tusks that mildly impede their speech, not entirely unlike what one might expect - but culturally they are a matriarchal people of the sea and coastal jungles, with a rich history of the arts and among the best textiles in the world. They have a past that was once more warrior focused, but these days they’re more into trade and produce many merchants, chefs, and tailors. They're among the most accepted of races in the east alongside humans and dwarves, those three making up a sort of trifecta of those who have had the most influence in mundane society. However, there are secluded communities of more 'traditional' orc who feel that their people have forgotten their roots. They're much harder around the edges and many of them are pirates who freelance as mercenaries for other nations.
They're generally considered mundane and therefore their culture was allowed to thrive in the eastern regions of Hy-Brazir and in turn Thornmouth; for orcs this meant orcish cuisine became common, such as heavily seasoned and sometimes spicy 'barbeque' cooked upon stone or spits. They also changed the way in which the local guard and military operate using intimidation tactics and aggressive camaraderie before battle. This also meant orcish 'dance form' was introduced and is especially popular before battle or a performance in the coliseum.
They are an adventurous seafaring and mercantile people who prefer the coastal jungles and beaches, which they appear well adapted for. They are well known for their excellent food, sense of fashion, spice and fabric exports, boat construction, outrageous parties and artistic expression in most everything they do. There is a dance to their fighting styles, a flair to their cuisine, bold patterns and colors in their clothing, and lovingly crafted details in their architecture. They have an eye for expression on par with their mastery of the seas.
Notes:
- matriarchal - head of a family is the eldest woman (the seafaring orc peoples of the southern seas pay respects to a high matron known as the sea empress)
- while far less common and rarely seen on mainland, those of the ocean orc nation are said to be much larger than most jungle orc
- some groups of mainland orc seem to lean towards being on the skinner side, more tall than they are robust and excelling in tree based work
- lots of fish and reptile food, spices (known for producing dragon pepper), pork, heavy meat sauces, hot sauces, a wide variety of jungle fruits
- populations seem to prefer the coastal jungles, but they are found all over - especially at sea, where the aggressive peoples of the isolationist pirate nation feels their people have lost ‘the old ways’ of being a more conquering, warrior-based people
- they still use their natural physical prowess in the arena, but the modern orc would rather have a contest of strength than a duel to the death (strong sense of honor)
- boats - along with their cooking styles, expertise strongly suggest island origins in the distant past
- have an island plantation with rare food they maintain
- strong trade partners with dwarves, who love spice and peppers
- colorful clothing, dyes - flowing fashions
- advanced dentistry
- a strong warrior discipline that still shows in their culture, even if their focus has shifted and ‘softened’ over the generations
- detailed, elaborate tattooing
- carving of high quality bone, horn, and tusk objects
